For the local wrestling superstar, Fuse Makoto maintained a relatively low profile outside the ring as a sushi chef. It wasn’t glamorous, but it paid his rent and allowed him to continue his journey as Golden Pro Wrestling’s Pure Gold Champion.

Fuse carefully plated the roll of seaweed, rice and fish while the familiar soft sounds of the Japanese restaurant emanated in the background. He didn’t normally look up when the door to the restaurant opened, but this time he did.

Perhaps it was something he sensed.

Indeed, Fuse saw two Japanese men dressed in nice suits. He knew who they were; they were the men who approached him at Gold Strike 17 and pressured him with the knowledge that the Yakuza were watching his success.

They had threatened him to continue to succeed, or there may be trouble for his family back home. Apparently, his merchandise sales had been a big boon for the Yakuza crime organization, and if he were to falter, the Yakuza would not appreciate the hit to their profits.

The two men approached the counter, and Fuse placed the plated sushi onto the counter for a server to take away.

Fuse bowed his head respectfully while the two Japanese men took a seat at the sushi bar. Sato grabbed the plate Fuse had just prepared and studied it.

“Ah, young Fuse Makoto,” said the Japanese man named Sato. “I see you have become quite the talented itamae.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sato,” Fuse replied in recognition of his sushi chef skills.

Sato picked up a spare set of chopsticks, and then used them to grab a piece of sushi. He took a bite and squinted his eyes in deep thought before smiling.

“Just as good as I would have gotten back in Japan,” Sato confirmed.

The server who had come to take the sushi to paying customers stopped at the bar and looked at Fuse inquisitively.

“I make new one. Please charge this to my paycheck,” stated Fuse to the server with a hint of frustrated defeat. The server obliged and walked away.

Sato continued, “Howeve’, I am not he’e to enjoy the food. I am he’e to cong’atulate you on you’ victo’y ove’ Awoke. Big news back in Japan. Big p’ofits for Yakuza. Bosses ve’y pleased.”

Internally, Fuse burned. He was here to represent his family’s honor, not make money for shady criminals.

Sato set down the chopsticks, and he and his partner stood up from the sushi bar.”

“I just wanted to stop by and p’ovide some encou’agement to win again at Allegiance. You and you’ family depend on it.”

The two Yakuza criminals smiled and turned to leave before Fuse finally replied.

“Mr. Sato, I am thankful for your encouragement, but it is not needed. My desire to make my family proud is enough to drive me to victory. But know this, if there is any attempt to hurt my family, I will fly back to the homeland and hunt down everyone in of your organization.”

Sato instantly frowned.

“Not wise to th’eaten Yakuza, young Fuse. I will look past this, just this once.”

Fuse watched as Sato and his partner exited the sushi restaurant. He knew this was not over.